Eclectic and dynamic, Melbourne effortlessly blends in the old-world charm with a cosmopolitan vibe that has made it a tourist magnet. The cultural and creative spirit can be captured in the kaleidoscopic street art, the culinary flavours and the coffee culture.
Melbourne is vibrant, passionate about sports and loves to flaunt its arty aura. And for a city that is so diverse, the hospitality scene showcases a fascinating blend of expansive luxurious properties to quirky arty retreats.
Wake up to the panoramic views of the Yarra flowing through the sparkling skyline of the city or stay in the bohemian laneways and enjoy the hospitality of the Victorian capital. If you are planning a holiday to Melbourne, you are spoilt for choices when it comes to accommodation. Be it a local homegrown hotel or an outpost of an international chain, here are the ten best hotels in Melbourne for the discerning traveller.
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The best hotels in Melbourne for your next vacation to Australia
You are on a historically hallowed ground the moment you enter Spring Street and walk in through the portals of the Grand Dame — The Windsor, which has hosted a bevvy of celebrities from Anthony Hopkins and Katharine Hepburn to Metallica. Soak up the old-world charm and become a bit of a time traveller as you take in the refined decor and the eloquent style.
The essence of the traditional Victorian vibe can be best experienced in the afternoon tea ceremony — the longest continuing ritual since 1883, The lofty ceilings, the large windows, and the beige-toned draperies in the rooms are atmospheric while the Victorian Suite spread over 122 square metre is reminiscent of a bygone era. Savour laid-back pub dining in the historic Cricketers Bar or stroll around the property and you will find two award-winning restaurants — Aru and Sunda and Kudo — the gluten-free bakery.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 8.6/1
(Image Credit: thehotelwindsor.com.au)
Experience timeless luxury and sophisticated charm in The Langham, which is the very epitome of vintage charisma and traditional old-world opulence. With delightful butlers and tea sommeliers., the signature experience is the classic afternoon tea ceremony served with delicious scones and savouries and pastries.
Located at the South Bank Precinct in the heart of the city, the highlights are undoubtedly the breathtaking views of the famed skyline with the Yarra which can be seen from the private patio at the Executive Terrace. Guests also can avail themselves of the special privileges of the Langham Club. There are over 388 rooms and suites including the sprawling Kerry Hess Residence Suite, the expansive Chairman Suite and the elegant One Bedroom Suite. Don’t miss getting pampered at the Chuan Spa with a traditional massage and take a plunge in the indoor pool and enjoy fine dining at the Melba with its delicious seafood.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.7/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 9.1/10
(Image Credit: langhamhotels.com)
Bold and rebellious, W Melbourne is more of a creative statement, a design inspired by the iconic laneways of Melbourne that extends inside the 294 stylish rooms and suites, where every space has its own personality. Melbourne’s first luxury lifestyle hotel is located right at the nucleus of the city at Flinder’s Lane and has an edgy, electrifying ambience with secret bars, cafes and restaurants.
While Lollo serves the best of Melbourne’s culinary flavours, head to Warabi for more authentic Japanese cuisine. Discover the secrets of Curious, the cocktail bar inside a designed laneway or experience the cafe culture at Culprit.
At Level 14, you can get WET at the spa and health centre. W also holds the keys to the latest happenings in the city with a sprawling space meant for just spectacular events. Be it music, art, design, fashion, food, wine or coffee – W Melbourne packs in a spectrum of sensory experiences with a touch of rebellious luxury.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.8/10
Trip Advisor: 4/5
Agoda.com: 8.6/10
(Image Credit: marriott.com)
Located right opposite Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens in the upscale suburb of South Yarra, United Places is a personal project of hotelier Darren Rubenstein who wanted to create an intimate, luxurious, stylish, and sustainable sanctuary for his guests. United Places with its contemporary design, adds a twist to the concept of an apart-hotel with its bespoke and understated style.
There is neither a lobby nor a spa – just 12 expansive suites with terraces, painted in deep palettes, with elegant decor that lend a personal touch. Dine at Matilda 157, a popular restaurant known for refined Australian food with the speciality being charcoal and wood fire cooking. A special seasonal breakfast with berries, yoghurt and dark chocolate is served in your room. The chic neighbourhood with an array of cafes and restaurants is barely 10 minutes from the city centre while you can wander away into the lush environs of the park.
User reviews:
Trip Advisor: 5/5
(Image Credit: unitedplaces.com.au)
Step into a world of pop art, rock and roll and vintage allure in Ovolo South Yarra, Creative and capricious, glitzy and glamorous, this is where disco beats and funky rhythms echo from the walls of the Rockstar Suites, named after the lyrical lords – John and Yoko, Sonny and Cher. Pushing the boundaries of style and filled with retro flair, the Groovy Suites are anything but conventional.
Boogie around or Go Go Snug and find your flow here. Food for the Soul is served in a unique concept inspired by locally sourced plant-based menus from restaurants and bars. Head to Lona Misa which is revolutionising vegan and vegetarian fare or look for the hidden bar. Located in the chic and cosmopolitan hub of Melbourne, Ovolo South Yarra celebrates the trendy and serves up an experience of local culinary flavours and colours.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.8/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 8.9/10
(Image Credit: ovolohotels.com)
An art deco boutique hotel located in the breezy bayside neighbourhood of St Kilda, just five minutes from the beach, The Prince has a versatile personality, inviting you to relax with a glass of wine at Little Prince Wine or groove at a live music show at Prince Bandroom.
Choose any of the 39 individually designed rooms with custom furniture and unique sculptures and the hotel is just a short stroll away from the famed promenade filled with cafes and pubs. A destination by itself, enjoy marvellous views of the city while sipping a cocktail at Prince Public Bar and get a taste of the Mediterranean flavours at the Prince Dining Room or be a part of a fairy tale wedding at the sprawling Prince Deck set against a breathtaking Melbourne skyline.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.4/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 8.8/10
(Image Credit: booking.com)
Retro chic with a burst of colour, you can’t match the funky experience of chilling in an Airstream trailer redesigned into a hip and cosy accommodation atop a rooftop overlooking the iconic Flinders Lane. Hotel NO — it’s not a hotel.
This is where Melbourne takes its love for rooftop bars to another level as Notel presents six 1970s Airstream trailers set in 31 feet of space and one of them comes with benefits as well including an open-air Sapphire Spa. Painted in shades of pink and grey with enough space for a couple, every trailer has an attached bathroom with a shower and opens into a deck right on the roof. And there is WIFI, an iPad Pro with Netflix, a free MINI Bar with wine and beer and even a photo printer where you can print that selfie and keep it as a souvenir.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.8/10
Trip Advisor: 4/5
Agoda.com: 8.5/10
(Image Credit: hotelno.melbourne)
Subtle and sophisticated yet plush and full of character, Coppersmith is an architecturally designed boutique space with 15 rooms housed in an erstwhile historic Victorian Cricket Club Hotel that has been remodelled.
Located in a quiet and quaint South Melbourne neighbourhood, Coppersmith is a silent sanctuary that is private and compact with soothing interiors, handmade drawings, artisanal furnishings and a minimalistic palette. The bistro and bar along with the fine dining cellar and rooftop hangout offer a blend of formal and informal spaces with delicious French-accented cuisine with seasonal produce, local craft beers and a mix of Australian and international wines.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.7/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 9/10
(Image Credit: coppersmithhotel.com.au)
Adjacent to the lush Fitzroy Gardens, Park Hyatt has dominated the luxury landscape of the heart of Melbourne and effortlessly flaunts its opulence and grandeur in its 245 rooms and suites, which are the largest in the city.
Blending in Art Deco and Ottoman styles with spa-inspired marble bathrooms and a pleasing palette, the luxurious retreat invites corporates with nine venues for meetings, conferences and intimate events. Embark on a culinary journey digging in premium Australian produce at the Radii Restaurant and Bar and enjoy the summer symphony at the Tea Lounge Trilogy Garden.
The spotlight is as always on local wines and craft beers and seasonal Australian ingredients. Indulge in the spa and wellness centre with its heated pool, sauna and steam rooms, an outdoor sun terrace and don’t miss the signature treatment which is both decadent and divine with a vanilla and coconut infused body wrap.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 9.1/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 8.9/10
(Image Credit: booking.commarriott.com)
Sophisticated, contemporary and stylish, The Westin located on the centrally located Collins Street adds a dash of elegance to your stay in Melbourne. Immerse yourself in the curated art collection and marvel at the spiral staircase in the deco-inspired lobby as you sip the afternoon tea and nibble at the savouries.
While the 262 spacious and sunlit rooms and suites with all luxurious amenities feel more like a sprawling apartment, you can even pamper yourself to a spa treatment right inside your room or head to the wellness centre and plunge into the 20 m lap pool replete with spa, sauna and steam rooms. Enjoy casual dining at the Allegro Restaurant while the opulent Lobby Lounge with its fireside library adds a classic aura to your gastronomical experience.
User reviews:
Booking.com: 8.8/10
Trip Advisor: 4.5/5
Agoda.com: 9/10
(Image Credit: marriott.com)
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
– What are the best stay options in Melbourne?
Melbourne has a mix of luxury, homegrown, boutique and business hotels and most of them are around the city centre. There are outposts of international chains like The Westin, The Langham, Marriott, Hyatt and Ritz Carlton, besides grand dames like The Windsor and also brands like Crown Melbourne, and Next Hotel Melbourne as well.
– What are the top tourist attractions in Melbourne?
Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Cricket Club, Queen Victoria Market, National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens, and Federation Square are some of the tourist attractions in Melbourne.
– What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
Exploring the laneways and admiring street art, chilling in cafes, going on a tour around the Melbourne Cricket Ground, going on a food trail, exploring the art precinct and museums and shopping are some of the best things to do in Melbourne.
– What are the budget stay options in Melbourne?
Some of the best budget hotels in Melbourne are Ovolo South Yarra, Oaks on Collins, Atlantis Hotel Melbourne, Ibis Melbourne Central and The Victoria Hotel.
– What are the most expensive hotels in Melbourne?
Some of the luxury and expensive hotels in Melbourne are W Melbourne, Park Hyatt Melbourne, The Westin Melbourne, The Hilton, Crown Promenade, The Windsor Melbourne, The Langham Melbourne, and The Next Hotel Melbourne among others.
– Are there any hotels near the airport in Melbourne?
Holiday In Melbourne Airport, Park Royal Melbourne Airport, Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport, and Best Western Airport Hotel are some of the hotels near the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne.
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture and believes that people make places. A slow and mindful traveller from India, you will often find her listening to stories of people or just sitting in a cafe and watching life pass by. Travelling is a way of life for this former media professional ..Read More
